The Federal Government has directed all
public, private primary and secondary schools to
reopen on Monday, September 22, 2014.
Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau,
who said this on Friday in Abuja while briefing
newsmen after an emergency meeting with state
Commissioners of Education, stated that
preliminary measures put in place to curb spread
of the Ebola Virus Disease is still intact.
Shekarau said that any State Ministry of Education
that has not appointed designated Desk Officers on
Ebola information should do so urgently before the
resumption date.
He urged state governments to support their state
Ministries of Education with all necessary funds to
ensure effective implementation of the preventive
measures.
He said, “We have now agreed that Primary and
Secondary both pubic and private will reopen and
begin formal classes on Monday, 22 September
2014. While this is in place we have decided to
continue the preventive measure.
“All primary and secondary schools, both public
and private should be provided with a minimum of
two blood pressure measuring equipment by the
Ministries of Education. The state ministries should
determine the number of such equipment required
and forward same to the Federal Ministry of
Education.
“The Federal Ministry of Education will liaise with
the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that
appropriate equipment is procured. Those states
that have not complied with this agreement should
please do so.
“State governments are called upon to support
their state Ministries of Education with all
necessary funds to ensure effective
implementation of these preventive measures.
Regular washing of the hands is part of the
preventive measures. There must be steady
supply of water in schools. All states should ensure
that this is put in place as the schools reopen.”
Shekarau urged all state Ministries of Education to
establish a working and monitoring team for
effective supervision of school activities before
and after opening of schools.
According to him, each state Ministry of Education
should appoint a designated Desk Officer who
should also receive appropriate training and who
must report on daily basis to the Commissioner on
situation in the schools.
“The names of such Desk Officers, their phone
numbers and e-mail addresses should be
communicated to the headquarters of the Federal
Ministry of Education,” he added.
The meeting was also attended by senior officials
of the Federal Ministry of Health.